The Milford-Orange Times is continuing its election-year tradition of asking the candidates to respond to questions about what they would do for the residents of Milford and Orange if voters elect them. Election Day is Nov. 3.
Q: What will you do if elected to help make your district a more affordable place to live? Be as specific as possible.
State Rep. MJ Shannon, Democrat, District 117 (Incumbent)
MJ Shannon
Affordability is one of the biggest challenges facing families across Milford, Orange and West Haven. As I spend time canvassing neighborhoods and talking with constituents throughout our communities, affordability is one of the issues that comes up most often. From childcare and school expenses to property taxes and electric bills, families are feeling the pressure of rising costs. If reelected, I will continue working to provide meaningful relief while making sure our communities remain places where people of all ages can afford to live, work and raise a family.
During my first term, I have worked with my colleagues in the legislature to deliver real relief for Connecticut families. We fully funded the Early Childhood Endowment, which will help make childcare free for eligible families earning less than $100,000 and ensure families earning more do not pay more than 7 percent of their income toward childcare. We also established a family caregiver tax credit, expanded property tax relief for disabled veterans, and made school supplies tax-free. These are meaningful steps toward helping families keep more of their hard-earned money.
But there is more work ahead, particularly when it comes to electric bills and property taxes, two of the biggest expenses facing residents in our district.
Lowering electric rates must be a priority. Connecticut families and small businesses should not have to choose between paying their utility bills and covering other necessities. We need to continue expanding electricity generation so we can reduce our dependence on expensive, volatile energy sources. I am proud to support offshore wind projects and continued incentives for residential solar, which can increase our energy supply and give residents more opportunities to lower their bills. I also want to build on our work to help residents access solar and battery storage and keep more of the energy they generate.
High property taxes are another major challenge. I believe we need balanced solutions that provide meaningful relief to taxpayers without leaving our municipalities struggling to provide essential services. Property taxes fund our local schools, road maintenance, public safety and many of the everyday services residents depend on. Reducing the burden on taxpayers without addressing how those services will be funded risks putting our schools, infrastructure and quality of life at risk.
That is why I will continue working with the governor, legislative leaders and all three local delegations to bring more state investment to Milford, Orange and West Haven. Our communities need greater state funding for public education and special education so local taxpayers are not left carrying such a disproportionate share of those costs. By increasing state support and working in partnership with our municipalities, we can pursue meaningful property tax relief while ensuring our towns have the resources to deliver the services residents deserve.
We also need to strengthen our local economies and broaden our tax base. Attracting more businesses, good-paying jobs and manufacturing opportunities to our district can create new opportunities for residents while helping distribute the cost of municipal services more broadly. I want to make it easier for businesses to invest in our communities, hire local workers and build a future here in Connecticut.
Affordability cannot be solved with one tax credit or one piece of legislation. It requires sustained investment, responsible policymaking and a willingness to tackle the biggest costs facing working families. I will continue fighting for policies that put money back in people’s pockets, strengthen our local economies and ensure Milford, Orange and West Haven remain affordable places to call home without sacrificing the schools, infrastructure and services that make our communities strong.